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Preview: England meet neighbours Wales in final group game

Preview: England meet neighbours Wales in final group game

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England’s Euro 2025 campaign is back on track and the final group game should see them into the knockouts; Wales have already done themselves proud just by being here and competing.

By Jamie Spencer

Group D Permutations

As long as England win, they will progress to the quarter-finals without needing to worry about the result in the Netherlands-France game. Alternatively, a draw would be enough if Netherlands don’t beat France. They could even get through with a shock defeat to Wales – by less than four goals – but that would be skin of the teeth stuff because Netherlands also have to lose.

For England to have a chance of winning the group, Netherlands have to beat France, but by fewer than seven goals.

Wales can still just about reach the last eight. But it requires a monumental result and a helping hand, beating England by at least four goals and for France to win against Netherlands.

Head-to-Head

England have never lost in the 10 games they have played against Wales over the years, winning nine and drawing one. This is a first time for Sarina Wiegman facing Wales as England boss – the Lionesses last faced the Dragons in 2018 when Phil Neville was in charge; winning 3-0 – but she did oversee a 5-0 Netherlands victory against Wales shortly before Euro 2017.

Player Focus

Alessia Russo must be wondering what she needs to do to get on the scoresheet at this tournament. The Arsenal striker, although as underwhelming as her teammates against France, had a goal disallowed for the most marginal of offsides in the build-up in that game. Another against the Netherlands was also ruled out, again for an offside in the build-up.

Russo’s graft against the Dutch was rewarded in other ways, putting in the hard yards and setting up her teammates to score instead. But couple of goals, or more, against Wales – which is certainly plausible, and she’d be firmly in the Golden Boot race going into the knockout rounds.

Proud Wales

Imminent group stage elimination isn’t really the point for Wales. They are the lowest ranked team at the Euros and qualifying was in itself a huge achievement. Rhian Wilkinson’s team have been far from embarrassed in their two defeats so far and the Canadian coach declared after facing France that she has “never been prouder” of the courage and determination on display.

Team News

England enjoyed a clean bill of health going into each of their first two games. Changes, generally, aren’t expected after things went so right in the Netherlands win.

Wales swapped goalkeepers, from Olivia Clark to Safia Middleton-Patel, between their Netherlands and France defeats. It remains to be seen which will start here, or if uncapped Poppy Soper will get a chance instead. At just 23, Clark is the most senior of the young trio.

Sophie Ingle made her comeback from a long-term knee injury as a late substitute against France.

Prediction

Wales won’t want to exit the tournament without a fight and they could very well make it tough for the Lionesses in the first half – as they did against France. But in a similar way, England’s greater quality should shine through and, if they perform anything like they did against the Netherlands, will eventually run up the score: England 4-1 Wales.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every game from the 2025 Women’s Euros with FotMob – featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings.

And for exclusive coverage from on the ground at the tournament, please sign up for our free newsletter – here.

Preview: England meet neighbours Wales in final group game

England’s Euro 2025 campaign is back on track and the final group game should see them into the knockouts; Wales have already done themselves proud just by being here and competing.

By Jamie Spencer

Group D Permutations

As long as England win, they will progress to the quarter-finals without needing to worry about the result in the Netherlands-France game. Alternatively, a draw would be enough if Netherlands don’t beat France. They could even get through with a shock defeat to Wales – by less than four goals – but that would be skin of the teeth stuff because Netherlands also have to lose.

For England to have a chance of winning the group, Netherlands have to beat France, but by fewer than seven goals.

Wales can still just about reach the last eight. But it requires a monumental result and a helping hand, beating England by at least four goals and for France to win against Netherlands.

Head-to-Head

England have never lost in the 10 games they have played against Wales over the years, winning nine and drawing one. This is a first time for Sarina Wiegman facing Wales as England boss – the Lionesses last faced the Dragons in 2018 when Phil Neville was in charge; winning 3-0 – but she did oversee a 5-0 Netherlands victory against Wales shortly before Euro 2017.

Player Focus

Alessia Russo must be wondering what she needs to do to get on the scoresheet at this tournament. The Arsenal striker, although as underwhelming as her teammates against France, had a goal disallowed for the most marginal of offsides in the build-up in that game. Another against the Netherlands was also ruled out, again for an offside in the build-up.

Russo’s graft against the Dutch was rewarded in other ways, putting in the hard yards and setting up her teammates to score instead. But couple of goals, or more, against Wales – which is certainly plausible, and she’d be firmly in the Golden Boot race going into the knockout rounds.

Proud Wales

Imminent group stage elimination isn’t really the point for Wales. They are the lowest ranked team at the Euros and qualifying was in itself a huge achievement. Rhian Wilkinson’s team have been far from embarrassed in their two defeats so far and the Canadian coach declared after facing France that she has “never been prouder” of the courage and determination on display.

Team News

England enjoyed a clean bill of health going into each of their first two games. Changes, generally, aren’t expected after things went so right in the Netherlands win.

Wales swapped goalkeepers, from Olivia Clark to Safia Middleton-Patel, between their Netherlands and France defeats. It remains to be seen which will start here, or if uncapped Poppy Soper will get a chance instead. At just 23, Clark is the most senior of the young trio.

Sophie Ingle made her comeback from a long-term knee injury as a late substitute against France.

Prediction

Wales won’t want to exit the tournament without a fight and they could very well make it tough for the Lionesses in the first half – as they did against France. But in a similar way, England’s greater quality should shine through and, if they perform anything like they did against the Netherlands, will eventually run up the score: England 4-1 Wales.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every game from the 2025 Women’s Euros with FotMob – featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings.

And for exclusive coverage from on the ground at the tournament, please sign up for our free newsletter – here.